New precinct crucial in officer shooting response
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More information in the shooting of a Montgomery police officer.
The officer is now in stable condition after being shot over the weekend and the suspected shooter is in custody.
But there are still many unanswered questions about what happened and why.
Police say the suspect, Matthew Wright, shot at Officer Robert Hubbard several times and one of those bullets grazed his neck.
But officers are saying having the new police precinct just a few miles from the scene was crucial Sunday.
The new DPS South Central precinct has been open since the start of 2014.
It’s just a few miles from the Walmart where officer hubbard was shot Sunday morning while trying to stop a theft.
“Officer Hubbard really did a good job, he did everything he was supposed to do,” said Director of Public Safety Chris Murphy.
He says the new location played a big part in not only this crime, but others as well.
“One it gave us a place to go do additional work but the call was dispatched at 8:15 and we had an officer arrive on the scene by 8:22,” said Murphy.
That’s when police say the suspect, Matthew Wright, stole a car from the walmart parking lot.
He was caught Sunday afternoon in Louisiana after a car chase.
It’s still unclear where wright got the gun or anything about his criminal history. Director Murphy says even though the crime was committed in Montgomery, Wright will first face felony charges in Louisiana.
“Unfortunately for us possession is 9/10th’s of the law and they have him right now. He’s going to have to face charges in Louisiana. They’re still in that process,” said Murphy.
Opinions are mixed about safety in the area after Sunday’s shooting. Some people think the new precinct is a big help.
“I feel a lot safer. I mean, they can respond quicker. Crime is being deturred since they came. It’s lovely on this side of town,” said Ronald Rhodes.
However, others think there’s still room for improvement.
“I do not feel safe in this area whatsoever because these people do not care,” said Edward Mays.
“It’s just everything happening. People getting robbed. I think they need to do more about this side of town because it’s ridiculous over here,” said Ashley Phillips.
